Masters Degrees (Behavioural Finance)

Overview

There is mounting evidence that people violate many of the "rationality" assumptions of mainstream economics. Behavioural Economics is a relatively new field that studies such violations and proposes theories to explain them. Behavioural Finance is a part of Behavioural Economics that studies important "irrationalities" on financial markets. Key topics include common mistakes people make when deciding how much to save and how to invest, excess volume of trade, equity premium puzzle, bubbles, and predictability of financial markets.

Why study Behavioural Finance

Behavioural Economics and Behavioural Finance have grown tremendously in popularity in recent years. The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Daniel Kahneman in 2002 for Behavioural Economics and to Robert Shiller in 2013 for Behavioural Finance. There has been increased interest by the public, as evidenced by a spate of popular books in these areas. There has also been increased interest by governments: for example, David Cameron appointed a "Behavioural Insights Team" in 2010 to help design government policies.

The backbone of the programme consists of a first-semester module in Behavioural Economics and a second-semester module in Advanced Behavioural Finance. Apart from these two modules, students can take modules covering more traditional topics in finance.

A thorough knowledge of Behavioural Economics and Behavioural Finance provides students with a deeper and more realistic understanding of financial markets than is offered by mainstream finance alone. Such knowledge also makes students less susceptible to common mistakes in their own lives and careers. A successful completion of the programme would provide students with valuable skills for a wide range of careers in areas such as investment, banking, public service, or academia.

Structure

The programme consists of five compulsory modules in semester A as well as two compulsory modules and three electives in semester B. During the summer period students will also have to complete a 30-credit 5000-word dissertation under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

Students will also be offered a two-week pre-sessional course whose aim is to introduce students without a strong quantitative background to the necessary mathematics and statistical concepts.
Click here for the full programme structure: http://econ.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/masters/msc-programmes/152610.html

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About the course:
-Take advantage of the expertise and facilities of two of the top schools in the country for both Finance and Psychology
-Specialise in one of the most exciting areas of Finance
-Broaden your vocational knowledge and build a mixture of marketable quantitative expertise and soft skills
-Experience a practice-centred delivery approach including hands-on sessions, case studies and trading simulations
-Study in the only UK Behavioural Finance postgraduate degree with a balanced curriculum in both disciplines

COURSE OVERVIEW

This programme provides a masters-level education with particular focus on Behavioural Finance, an interdisciplinary field which integrates psychology and financial economics.

This is the first postgraduate degree in the UK with a thorough and balanced curriculum with regard to both disciplines. The study of finance and psychology progresses through the programme so that students obtain a critical grasp of core theory along with thorough knowledge, skills of application and analysis.

CAREERS

Despite the volatile nature of the financial markets, demand for well‐qualified recruits remains high. Students schooled in the field of behavioural finance are in demand as investment banks, asset managers and associated industries attempt to understand investment patterns and pricing bubbles that cannot be explained by conventional finance theories. Thus, they have been showing increasing attention to behaviourally driven investment philosophies over the last few years. We expect many of our graduates to enter the industry at either the ‘Analyst’ level or as ‘Associates’, who tend to have several years of relevant professional experience.

Our graduates leave us equipped with knowledge and transferable skills that are also prized by employers outside of the traditional banking and finance sectors. Many of our Alumni are currently enjoying successful careers with multinational companies, consulting firms, government agencies and regulatory organizations throughout the world.Graduates will also gain the knowledge and skills required to continue their studies at the doctoral level.

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Understanding modern financial economics, which includes asset pricing, risk management, monetary policy and financial regulations for pursuing careers at, for example, banks, capital funds and finance ministries.
The spectacular growth of international capital markets is creating great opportunities. But, as the latest financial crisis has shown, this also entails major challenges for financial decision-makers and regulators of financial markets. The academic Master’s specialisation in Financial Economics is ideal for students who want to understand the workings of global financial markets, from asset pricing and risk management to monetary policy and financial regulation. It provides you with the necessary knowledge and skills set for careers in not just banks, investment funds, and financial exchanges, but also finance ministries or other governmental or non-governmental bodies of financial market oversight.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/fe

Why study Financial Economics at Radboud University?

- You will be part of a new generation of finance professionals, who not only understand traditional approaches in financial economics but who can also integrate modern behavioural and institutional aspects. This gives you a good understanding of the highly volatile behaviour of financial markets, including bubbles, crashes and crises.

- Besides offering a sound theoretical foundation, there is also plenty of attention for applying these concepts to real-world situations.

- You will be trained to think independently and critically about the way in which financial economics can be applied in your professional field and you will develop skills that will make a difference in the highly competitive global labour market.

- The specialisation pays special attention to global aspects of corporate finance, preparing students for an international career.

- Our lecturers are active in academic and applied research which allows them to incorporate the latest academic developments and applied issues. This will also enable you to actively participate in academic research in your Master’s programme.

- Professors and students interact in small groups, thus strengthening the academic atmosphere.

- Radboud University offers ‘Economics Plus’. Traditional economic models and business approaches are expanded with relevant knowledge from related disciplines such as psychology, teaching more in-depth knowledge that can be applied in today’s globalised world.

Ground breaking ideas

One of the most important aspects of this specialisation is to fully understand how financial markets work and what the possible implications are of measures taken to regulate them. How are asset prices of stocks, bonds, derivatives and other financial assets determined? How do markets deal with financial risk and how can we manage it? You are challenged to go further than simply understanding the concepts and to think creatively about ground breaking ideas of how to regulate constantly developing financial markets and new financial instruments. It’s about trying to get financial markets to work more efficiently, without exuberant bubbles and catastrophic crashes, and in support of a prospering world economy.

Career prospects

Employers are increasingly looking for a new generation of financial professionals, who understand more than the traditional concepts in financial economics and who can integrate this knowledge with institutional and behavioural insights to tackle a wide variety of problems. This Master’s specialisation will provide you with in-depth knowledge in asset pricing, risk management, monetary policy and financial regulations as well as behavioural finance. With this specialisation you will get the best possible understanding of how financial markets work and how to use your analytical skills to deal with today’s problems in financial markets.

Job positions

Our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to work for commercial banks, investment banks, and various types of stand-alone investment funds, as well as financial exchanges. Furthermore, careers in finance ministries or other governmental or non-governmental bodies of financial market oversight, such as central banks, the IMF and the World Bank, are also well within your reach. Due to our international approach, and by choosing the relevant electives, this Master’s can also prepare you for financial careers in multinational enterprises or large national companies.

Our approach to this field

The Master’s specialisation in Financial Economics primarily looks at financial markets, their behaviour, their regulation, and monetary policies. In this specialization we take a bird’s eye view and investigate global financial markets as a whole, for example, stock markets, commodity markets or derivative markets. But we also analyse the different classes of market participants, for example, banks, insurances, pension funds, activist investors and hedge funds. There are many topics that will be studied including bubbles and crashes in financial markets, exchange rate policies between countries and how they affect economic growth. But also measures that a government can take to minimise the risks that banks take, or financial innovations and how they can help to improve economic growth.

- Much more than traditional financial economics
We want to educate a new generation of finance professionals; ones who not only understand traditional financial economics, but can also work with modern institutional and behavioural insights. Financial markets are internationally integrated and often truly global. That is why at Radboud University, we also teach students how to be aware of the different institutional, cultural and psychological aspects in various financial markets. At Radboud University, we also know that psychological biases and emotions play a role in financial decisions. Therefore, a good understanding of financial economics includes knowledge about behavioural finance. Behavioural finance is a modern field in finance that uses psychology-based theories to explain financial decisions of individuals and how these can influence financial markets and create anomalies.

- Other specialisations of Economics
This specialisation looks at Finance from a market perspective and how financial markets can be regulated takes a broad view on markets. If you are more interested in Finance from a firm’s perspective and at its positioning within financial markets, we suggest you take a look at our Master's in Corporate Finance and Control. And for those wanting to know more about the trade relations between countries should take a look at our specialisation in International Economics and Business.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/fe

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You will be provided with rigorous training in the analysis of issues in finance and corporate policy while improving your analytical and technical expertise. The programme is ideal for those whose career objectives lie broadly with the financial services and banking sectors. You will have the opportunity to gain an in depth grounding with core courses such as Foundations in Finance, Corporate Finance and Quantitative Methods in Finance, and subsequently tailor your programme to match your end goals through the range of optional courses on offer. These include Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives, Investment and Portfolio Management and Decision Theory and Behaviour amongst others.

You will be taught by a top-ranking Department of Economics with expertise in a broad range of areas, including people who have worked and are still working in the finance industry in the broad areas of asset allocation and risk, as well as algorithmic trading.

With a relatively small intake each year you will benefit from a strong sense of group identity and will enjoy close contact with the academic staff of the department. The course director and course coordinators serve as your personal advisors up until the spring, when you will then be assigned a personal dissertation supervisor.

The MSc Finance is an excellent preparation both for a career in the financial services, banking and business sectors and policy making, as well further academic study.

See the website https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/economics/coursefinder/mscfinance.aspx

Why choose this course?

- The course offers an excellent opportunity to get a strong grounding in core areas of Finance and to specialise your knowledge further through the optional courses on offer.

-You will be taught by academics who produce world leading research some of whom are also currently working in the Finance and Banking sectors. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise we were ranked among the top 10 Economics Departments in the UK

- Students attend a two week pre-sessional quantitative methods course to ensure they are in a good position to start this challenging Masters courses

- The Department of Economics at Royal Holloway is unique in being a young department, created in 1995, in an established and prestigious college of the University of London.

- Our courses are small and select, thus ensuring that you will receive individual attention from the academic staff.

Department research and industry highlights

Economics is among the top departments in the UK for Research Excellence. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 80% of the Department's research submitted was ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent (rated 3* and 4*).

A recent analysis of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) shows that the Economics Department at Royal Holloway is ranked 8th best department in the UK for publications. The study by Jim Taylor and Ian Walker provides further insight into the research standing of UK economics departments. Previous rankings from the data already showed the Department in the top 10 in the UK.

We run a weekly Internal Seminar which provides a lively forum for work at an early stage of development. Our External Seminar Series runs weekly during term and during the last academic year, welcomed over 20 external speakers from prominent places. Invitees are the usual mixture of established names and newer entrants to the profession thought to be doing exciting work. Our Discussion Paper Series provides a forum for journal-ready work.

Course content and structure

You will study five core course units and, in addition, a mathematics refresher course and a dissertation, as well as choosing two elective course units.

Core course units:
- Pre-sessional mathematics refresher course
All students attend the compulsory pre-sessional mathematics refresher course, which runs for 2 weeks in September, before the start of term. There are no additional fees for this course however students will need to pay for accommodation for the period of this course.

- Corporate Finance
You will be introduced to the techniques of financial analysis and their applications to corporate finance. The concepts developed form the foundation of most elective finance course units. You will learn about the time value of money and the net present value rule, how to value financial assets, capital budgeting decisions, uncertainty and the risk-return trade-off and corporate governance.

- Quantitative Methods in Finance
This course unit will introduce you to mathematical statistics and theories that are applied in financial econometrics. The second half of the unit concerns the analysis of time series data including ARMA models, the analysis of non-stationary time series data, cointegration analysis, vector autoregressive models, modelling volatility in asset returns, forecasting and bootstrapping.

- Foundations of Finance
The course unit in finance will expose you to the structure of the financial markets, the instruments traded and the participants. You will be provided with the necessary tools with which to analyse how the financial markets function and how problems arise from their operations.

- Research Methods
While conducting research sounds like an easy task, it can present difficulties. This unit aims to help you avoid such traps and to assist you in developing strong research skills so that you can conduct an efficient piece of research at the end of your degree.

- Dissertation
The dissertation gives you the opportunity to analyse an economics issue in depth. You will be assigned a dissertation supervisor and, by the end of March, will submit a preliminary dissertation report that contains a clear statement of the problem under consideration, the structure of the project and the research methods that are going to be applied. The dissertation is then written over the summer.

Elective course units:
- Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives
You will gain an introduction to the alternative forms of financial assets that are traded in addition to stocks. Fixed income securities are bonds, bills and notes that offer a certain stream of income to holders. Derivatives are contingent and non-contingent claims on financial assets and are widely used for hedging risk. You will learn how to price these assets, and how to use them effectively in managing portfolios and hedging risk.

- Empirical Finance
The broad aims of this unit are to give you advanced-level training in evaluation of empirical models in finance. It will enable you to apply both quantitative techniques and qualitative methods, learnt elsewhere, to test theories and get acquainted with the existing literature in the field of finance.

- Investment and Portfolio Management
Underlying theory and empirical evidence in portfolio management will familiarise you with its practice in the finance sector. You will acquire an understanding of how funds are allocated when constructing a portfolio.

- Decision Theory and Behaviour
This course unit will deepen your knowledge of rational decision making through the exploration of behavioural models, their formalization and their scope, including applications to finance. You will also become familiarized with both theoretical and experimental methods for research in decision theory and behavioural economics.

- Public Economics
Public Economics is concerned with the study of the effects of government policy and the design of optimal policies. You will assess the implications of basic welfare economics in public policy. A number of recent research areas in public economics are then discussed including income taxation, tax evasion, externalities and social security.

- Political Economy
This course will provide an advanced treatment of the tools used in political economy to tackle some major questions faced by public sector economists. It will in particular focus on the modelling of voters and politicians’ behaviours to address the role played by incentives and constraints faced by politicians when choosing public policies. The effect of different forms of institutional arrangements on public decision making and electoral accountability will be analysed from both a theoretical and empirical perspective.

Assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and a dissertation.

Employability & career opportunities

Our graduates are highly employable and, in recent years, have entered many different economics-related areas, including careers as economists, financial analysts, accountants, bankers, journalists and business analysts. Our graduates are currently working for firms such as Accenture, TNS, RBS, Deloitte, and Baker and McKenzie. At the same time, this course also equips you with a solid foundation for continued PhD studies. Your careers ambitions are supported by our College Careers Service, located right next door to the economics department. They offer application and interview coaching, career strategy discussions, and the opportunity to network with major finance employers on campus. Our careers service is provided by the Careers Group, the main provider of graduate recruitment services in London. Thus, you will have additional access to a wealth of presentations and networking opportunities which make the most of London’s financial centre.

How to apply

Applications for entry to all our full-time postgraduate degrees can be made online.

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Master's specialisation in Corporate Finance and Control

Understanding a firm’s finances and knowing how to deal with not just economic but also managerial, legal, and reporting aspects to strengthen and maximise enterprise value.
In a continuously globalising world economy, how can financial managers increase the value of the firm for their shareholders and stakeholders? How do managers figure out what the best investment is and how much to invest? How can and should a company finance its operations? The Master’s programme in Corporate Finance and Control provides you with the latest theory and research, focusing on all the important scientific and practical aspects that deal with the financial management and governance of modern firms.
You will learn about international standards of financial accounting and reporting methods, corporate finance and governance, firm valuation, mergers and acquisitions, as well as risk management and other advanced topics in corporate finance. Graduates of Corporate Finance and Control are well equipped for careers as corporate financial manager, financial controller, or business consultant in multinational companies as well as small and medium sized enterprises.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cfc

Why study Corporate Finance and Control at Radboud University?

- A sound foundation in corporate finance is integrated with modern institutional and behavioural insights, giving this Master’s specialisation a unique perspective.

- You will be confronted with both practical real-world business cases as well as the latest theoretical developments.

- You will be trained to think independently and critically about the way in which corporate finance can be applied in your professional field and you will develop skills that will make a difference in the highly competitive global labour market.

- You will be part of a new generation of finance professionals, who understand the economic and managerial implications of their decisions also from the perspective of modern institutional and behavioural insights.

- The specialisation pays special attention to global aspects of corporate finance, preparing students for a highly international career.

- Our lecturers are active in academic and applied research which allows them to incorporate the latest academic developments and practical issues. This will also enable you to actively participate in academic research in your Master’s programme.

- Professors and students interact in small groups, thus strengthening the academic atmosphere.

- Radboud University offers ‘Economics Plus’. Traditional economic models and business approaches are expanded with relevant knowledge from related disciplines such as psychology, teaching more in-depth knowledge that can be applied in today’s globalised world.

Tackling complex financial issues

We make sure that our Economics students have a strong background in both theory and practical real-world approaches. Within this specialisation of Economics, you will get a thorough understanding of state-of-the-art corporate finance integrated with modern institutional and behavioural insights. Understanding all the necessary facets will equip you with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex financial issues in today’s corporations.

Career prospects

Employers are increasingly looking for a new generation of financial managers, who understand both the economic and the business side of the financial workings of corporations and who can integrate this knowledge with institutional and behavioural insights to tackle a wide variety of problems. This Master’s specialisation will provide you with this in-depth knowledge and will teach you how to deal with today’s problems as a financial manager to strengthen a company’s finances and maximise its value.

Job positions

Our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to become financial manager, financial controller, or business consultant in multinational companies as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Careers as financial analyst, investment manager or general manager – thanks to your background in corporate finance and financial accounting – are also well within your reach.

Our approach to this field

This Master’s programme does not just look at raising and investing money, but also at controlling this process with proper financial accounting and reporting, governance and risk management. We want to educate a new generation of finance professionals, who understand the economic and managerial implications of their decisions also from the perspective of modern institutional and behavioural insights.

Due to globalisation there are very few companies that do not operate on an international scale, or at the very least interact with consumers, clients and/or partner organisations in other countries. Having a thorough knowledge of international issues has therefore become crucial for every financial manager and we pay special attention to these aspects in this specialisation. With internationalisation comes the complexity of different influences and systems. That is why at Radboud University, we also teach students how to be aware of the different institutional, cultural and psychological aspects of financial matters.

- Other specialisations of Economics
This specialisation looks at Finance from a firm’s perspective and at its positioning within financial markets. If you are more interested in Finance from a market perspective and how financial markets can be regulated, we suggest you take a look at our Master’s Financial Economics. Or if you want to discover the nitty-gritty of a company’s balance sheets and statements of financial position then Accounting and Control may be more interesting for you. And those wanting to know more about the trade relations between countries should take a look at our specialisation International Economics & Business.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/cfc

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Our MSc Finance is a challenging one year programme that prepares recent high calibre graduates and young professionals for a wide range of careers in the highly competitive, yet rewarding, financial services sector. Covering a broad range of topics, this programme not only offers a solid quantitative foundation, but underpins it using the latest research and practical applications.

MSc Finance has developed a reputation as one of the most intellectually rigorous quantitative finance programmes in Europe. The programme is consistently ranked among the best in London and is a CFA Programme Partner, giving students access to high-profile events, online resources and discounts on CFA exams.

The Programme

This programme prepares recent high calibre graduates for a wide range of careers in the financial services sector. It is an intellectually rigorous quantitative finance programme covering a broad range of topics. To introduce you to the tools of modern finance and enhance your career development skills you will study five compulsory foundation modules, including:
• Application of Matlab to Finance
• Business Valuation
• Financial Modelling
• Markets and Securities
• The Finance Industry

You’ll take six core modules which are the backbone of our programme, providing you with a solid knowledge base in each subject area. Each module builds on previous experience while introducing new and challenging disciplines. Core modules include:
• Corporate Finance
• Derivatives
• Empirical Finance: Methods and Applications
• Financial Econometrics
• Investment and Portfolio Management
• Mathematics for Finance
• Ethics and Professional Standards in Finance

The spring term begins with an International Experience. This two day trip to a European country offers students the opportunity to consider finance on an international field and strengthen their networks.

You will also be given the opportunity to choose from a variety of electives and undertake a final project. Electives to select from include:
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Advanced Options Theory
• Behavioural Investment Management
• Corporate Strategy and Dynamic Competition
• Credit Risk
• Fixed Income Securities
• International Elective: Macro and Finance for Practitioners
• International Finance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Private Equity and Venture Capital
• Quantitative Methods in Asset Management
• Real Estate Investment
• Structured Credit and Equity Products
• Wealth Management and Alternative Investments
• Topics in FinTech Innovation
• Big Data in Finance

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MSc in Finance

• You need an undergraduate knowledge of economics, finance and statistics.
• You will learn the research methods used in modern corporate finance in order to understand the relevance of corporate finance theory in an applied work setting.
• Case study approach in core modules helps develop analytical skills that can be used in everyday financial management applications.
• Obtain transferable technical skills in empirical financial modelling in small classes (between 20-25 students at lectures).
• Become knowledgeable about the functioning and rationale of leading financial institutions both in the UK and abroad.
• Pursue advanced studies in finance and cognate areas, allied to our strong tradition of our graduates working in the financial community.
• Recent career destinations of graduates include financial accounting, commercial banking, merchant banking, fund management, financial services, and further degree studies.

Features

* An academic team of 30 composed of world-leading specialists in Behavioural Economics, Decision Theory, Econometrics, Development, Growth, Finance, International Economics, Monetary Policy, and Strategy.

* You will enhance your analytical and decision-making abilities through training in problem solving, specifically through the use of quantitative and model-based methods of analysis.

* Dissertations are supervised on an individual basis by members of staff with internationally recognised expertise.

* Regular seminars and workshops bring you into contact with cutting edge research.

* Entry is competitive and entrance standards are high.

* These qualifications have taken previous students to a wide range of career opportunities across the globe.

Economics and finance are broad and important research fields linking almost all aspects of human activity: running a business, purchasing stocks and bonds, managing a charity, taking on a job, getting married, regulating an industry, administering a loan and so on. Despite this diversity the key concept is simple: economic agents act in pursuit of their own interests and this simple and unifying concept can be rigorously applied in many areas of research. These extend from core areas like macroeconomics, the business enterprise, and household behaviour, to areas such as innovation, taxation, the environment, quality of life, financial markets, the business cycle and inflation.

Economics and finance is expanding and changing at St Andrews and we have recently welcomed a number of new lecturing staff adding to our cosmopolitan staff. We bring understanding and excitement from the latest cutting-edge research into the teaching of all our postgraduate degree programmes. Our emphasis on smaller group teaching allows a high level of interaction between both students and teachers, encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment. We also offer an opportunity for our postgraduates to engage with our enthusiastic undergraduates via the School’s tutorial system. We encourage our postgraduates to take a full part in our guest lecturer seminar series and to attend international events, so broadening their interests and enabling exploration of the
widest application of economic theories.

Location

St Andrews has a tradition in economics and finance dating back over one hundred years.The School of Economics & Finance is located in Castlecliffe, a beautiful Edwardian mansion on The Scores, overlooking the delightful St Andrews Bay. Many of our students enjoy the rural pursuits on our doorstep with the opportunity to venture out to the mountains and even ski in the Cairngorms in the winter months.

Teaching

Our modules are delivered through traditional lectures and supported by a combination of tutorials, seminars or computer laboratory work, as appropriate. Choosing your individual syllabus is important and is done in personal consultation with your course director. You will be assessed by both continuous assessment and examinations, with exams held at the end of each semester. Students who complete the taught component, but not the dissertation, are eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma.

Each module typically has 20 lecture contact hours, and four seminar/ workshop/ tutorial contact hours (there is some variation by specific module design). Assessment is typically 50% by continuous assessment and 50% by two-hour examination (there is some variation in format by module design). Intensive independent study is expected of all students.

Careers

There is a long-standing tradition of our graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts, in economics, finance, commerce, insurance, industry, academia, diplomatic service, and banking. They work in the UK, Europe, and North America, and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand.

Some more widely recognised graduates in Economics and Finance from St Andrews have included: Professor Sir Alan Peacock, Professor Ian Wooton, Professor Grant Baird, Professor Sheila Dow, Alex Pratt OBE, Alex Salmond former First Minister.

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MSc in Money, Banking and Finance

• Your first degree needs to contain a reasonable amount of economics – specifically, economics (intermediate micro and macro level), quantitative methods training background, and modules in money, banking, international finance, or international economics.

• If your background is exclusively in accounting, business administration, marketing or law/international relations you are unlikely to be qualified to undertake this programme and we suggest you look at other programmes offered by the University.

• You will develop high analytical ability in order to understand and develop the methods and rationale underlying modern banking, monetary policy and finance.

• You will become knowledgeable about the functioning and rationale of leading financial institutions, commercial and central banking, and the conduct and impact of monetary policy upon the financial system.

• You will develop analytical skills and competence with empirical tools.

• In designing and writing your dissertation you will receive individual supervision by scholars of international standing.

• Career destinations include commercial and central banking, investment banking, financial management, accounting and finance, assurance, insurance, actuarial science, corporate trading, venture capital, private equity, corporate finance, economic, industrial and management consultancy.

Features

* An academic team of 30 composed of world-leading specialists in Behavioural Economics, Decision Theory, Econometrics, Development, Growth, Finance, International Economics, Monetary Policy, and Strategy.

* You will enhance your analytical and decision-making abilities through training in problem solving, specifically through the use of quantitative and model-based methods of analysis.

* Dissertations are supervised on an individual basis by members of staff with internationally recognised expertise.

* Regular seminars and workshops bring you into contact with cutting edge research.

* Entry is competitive and entrance standards are high.

* These qualifications have taken previous students to a wide range of career opportunities across the globe.

Economics and finance are broad and important research fields linking almost all aspects of human activity: running a business, purchasing stocks and bonds, managing a charity, taking on a job, getting married, regulating an industry, administering a loan and so on. Despite this diversity the key concept is simple: economic agents act in pursuit of their own interests and this simple and unifying concept can be rigorously applied in many areas of research. These extend from core areas like macroeconomics, the business enterprise, and household behaviour, to areas such as innovation, taxation, the environment, quality of life, financial markets, the business cycle and inflation.

Economics and finance is expanding and changing at St Andrews and we have recently welcomed a number of new lecturing staff adding to our cosmopolitan staff. We bring understanding and excitement from the latest cutting-edge research into the teaching of all our postgraduate degree programmes. Our emphasis on smaller group teaching allows a high level of interaction between both students and teachers, encouraging a warm and friendly learning environment. We also offer an opportunity for our postgraduates to engage with our enthusiastic undergraduates via the School’s tutorial system. We encourage our postgraduates to take a full part in our guest lecturer seminar series and to attend international events, so broadening their interests and enabling exploration of the
widest application of economic theories.

Location

St Andrews has a tradition in economics and finance dating back over one hundred years.The School of Economics & Finance is located in Castlecliffe, a beautiful Edwardian mansion on The Scores, overlooking the delightful St Andrews Bay. Many of our students enjoy the rural pursuits on our doorstep with the opportunity to venture out to the mountains and even ski in the Cairngorms in the winter months.

Teaching

Our modules are delivered through traditional lectures and supported by a combination of tutorials, seminars or computer laboratory work, as appropriate. Choosing your individual syllabus is important and is done in personal consultation with your course director. You will be assessed by both continuous assessment and examinations, with exams held at the end of each semester. Students who complete the taught component, but not the dissertation, are eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma.

Each module typically has 20 lecture contact hours, and four seminar/ workshop/ tutorial contact hours (there is some variation by specific module design). Assessment is typically 50% by continuous assessment and 50% by two-hour examination (there is some variation in format by module design). Intensive independent study is expected of all students.

Careers

There is a long-standing tradition of our graduates working in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding posts, in economics, finance, commerce, insurance, industry, academia, diplomatic service, and banking. They work in the UK, Europe, and North America, and more frequently in locations such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand.

Some more widely recognised graduates in Economics and Finance from St Andrews have included: Professor Sir Alan Peacock, Professor Ian Wooton, Professor Grant Baird, Professor Sheila Dow, Alex Pratt OBE, Alex Salmond former First Minister.

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Why take this course?

This course is aimed at graduates who are looking to pursue careers in investment analysis, stock broking, securities trading, fund management, banking and investment banking in financial institutions. It is also suitable for those who are aiming for careers in corporate financial management in large non-financial companies. The curriculum covers the three key areas of finance: investments, corporate finance, and financial markets and institutions, with a focus on financial investments.

What will I experience?

Students are taught by academically qualified and enthusiastic staff with research and consultancy experience and links to industry. Access to extensive financial databases including Bloomberg, DataStream and Bank Scope is available along with excellent library facilities and with 24-hour internet access to leading databases.

On successful completion of your Bloomberg training you will be awarded the Bloomberg Certificate, an essential qualification for all city professionals.

What opportunities might it lead to?

Our graduates have gained employment in a wide range of roles and industrial sectors. These include investment analysis, banking and investment banking in financial institutions as well as in accountancy and general management.

The University of Portsmouth is recognised as a centre of excellence for finance teaching by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). You will be eligible for student membership and this provides access to a range of networking and career opportunities. During the programme you will be prepared for CISI's Integrity Matters and Corporate Finance Technical Foundation examinations. Successfully completing these examinations allows you to achieve an industry-recognised professional qualification alongside your degree.

Module Details

Financial Econometrics

Econometrics is a core tool used in the study of finance. The aim of this unit is to give you a strong practical understanding of the econometric tools you will be using throughout your study of finance. The teaching philosophy is to take an applied approach, to provide you with a strong intuitive understanding of the most important statistical techniques, and how to apply them successfully to a wide variety of practical situations in finance using the main statistical packages, such as Eviews and SPSS. Many of the econometric techniques covered are used and applied in other units in the course, to help you gain a good practical understanding of how to apply them in the practice of financial management.

Derivatives: Options, Futures and Swaps Markets

In this unit you will study the main derivatives securities and markets, options, forwards, futures and swaps. The emphasis is on the study of derivatives pricing models and how these are applied in speculation, hedging, arbitrage and price discovery in financial investments as well as in the measurement and management of financial risks. In finance some models work better than others. The pricing models and techniques developed in derivatives work so well that all professionals working in derivatives markets use these models and techniques all the time, every day. In this unit you will acquire a high degree of theoretical understanding and practical competence in using and applying these techniques.

Corporate Finance and Business Valuation

In this unit you will study the primary financial decisions of the firm, working capital management, advanced capital budgeting techniques, the strategic analysis of capital investment decisions, capital structure theories, and the financing and dividend decisions. Theories will be appraised in the context of empirical research to facilitate critical understanding of the issues. In the second half of this unit you will move on to the advanced study of business valuation. The main focus is on providing a strong practical understanding, and on the application of the key professional techniques used in firm valuation, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and private equity transactions.

Portfolio Theory and Behavioural Finance

In the first half of this unit we look at stock markets and bond markets from the rational perspective. Here you will study the standard material of ‘modern portfolio theory’. In the second half of the unit we move on to behavioural finance, looking at the emotional, cognitive, institutional, and agency theory factors that impact upon financial markets. Topics include stock market booms and busts, financial crises, systematically irrational market behaviours, and the investment strategies that have been devised to exploit them. The unit has a strong practical philosophy. The theory, empirical research and analysis of real data that you will study are designed to help you to become a better investor.

Research Methods and Dissertation

This is a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training through lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. You will be assigned a Dissertation supervisor who will provide feedback, guidance and support on an individual basis.

Programme Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, computer-based workshops, invited speakers and live case studies. Student participation is encouraged and classes are challenging but informal and friendly, which promotes discussion and debate. The course tutors are available to support your studies and you will also have a personal tutor to provide help and guidance for any problems that you might have.

You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics. Our approaches to learning, assessment and feedback are varied and constructive, to help you build the personal management and employability skills that are essential for a fulfilling career.

Student Destinations

This course is designed to provide you with powerful analytical tools and methods to understand the complexities of modern financial markets. These skills are in high demand and you’ll be strongly placed to enter industry in the finance and industrial sectors. Previous graduates have gone on to secure roles in accountancy and general management as well as investment analysis, banking and investment banking in financial institutions. Alternatively, this course is also beneficial if you are aiming for careers in corporate financial management in large non-financial companies.

Roles our graduates have taken on include:

Commercial Finance Analyst
Bid Pricing Executive
Finance Internship
Graduate Econometrician
Hedge Fund Manager

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This intensive one-year programme provides a flexible and attractive set of units to those interested in applied research. Exit degrees, based on optional units taken, provide a distinct choice of academic route for those who are interested in a research career, as well as those who want further training at postgraduate level but do not intend to become academic researchers.

The School of Economics, Finance and Management has an international reputation for research excellence. Faculty members in the school regularly publish in top international journals and the school is expanding following substantial recent success in research funding applications.

Programme structure

Core units - The programme starts with four compulsory units in the first term:
-Microeconomics
-Macroeconomics
-Econometrics
-Applied Economics

Optional units - Four units are taken in the second term. This is where you shape your exit degree based on choices from the 11 available units. The four available exit degree titles are:
-MSc Economics
-MSc Economics (Macroeconomics)
-MSc Economics (Microeconomics)
-MSc Economics (Economic Policy)

Each exit degree has a unique structure as follows:
-MSc Economics
You can choose any of the option units from the listing.
-MSc Economics (Macroeconomics)
You must take Further Macroeconomics plus three units from: Further Econometrics, Banking, Derivatives, Behavioural Finance.
-MSc Economics (Microeconomics)
You can take four units from: Labour Economics, Health Economics, Education Economics, Development Economics, Further Econometrics, Banking.
-MSc Economics (Economic Policy)
You must take Programme Evaluation and Policy Experiments plus two units from: Labour Economics, Health Economics, Economics of Education, Development Economics.

The full list of units:
-Banking
-Behavioural Finance
-Derivatives
-Development Economics
-Economics of Education
-Further Econometrics
-Further Macroeconomics
-Health Economics
-Labour Economics
-Policy Experiments
-Programme Evaluation

Unit availability is subject to staffing and timetable constraints. Please note: the number of available places on some units may be capped.

Dissertation
There will be a dissertation element for all of the above programmes. You will apply appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed over the programme to a piece of applied research devised in consultation with a supervisor.

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How should financial professionals react to increasing regulatory and technological change? What tools and skills must you possess for a successful career in finance and investment?

This professionally recognised course provides advanced knowledge of finance and investment.

We develop your analytical skills and use of quantitative tools through industry-standard Bloomberg software. You tackle real-world investment decisions in our virtual trading floor, designed with input from a practicing Hedge Funder Manager. Our trading floor replicates the professional setting you might find in the City, allowing you to develop the skills needed in industry and gain an advantage in the graduate recruitment market.

You embark on a broad educational programme, preparing you to face the challenges of managing and working in organisations operating in varying and complex economic, social, political and cultural conditions. Upon graduation, you may be suitable for employment in a host of finance and investment posts.

You develop knowledge and skills in:
-Portfolio theory
-Fixed-income securities
-Behavioural finance
-Corporate finance

MSc Finance and Investment is taught at Essex Business School. We’re ranked in the top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF, 2014) and we embed the latest academic thinking in our teaching to ensure you experience the cutting-edge of contemporary finance. We’re an internationally diverse school, with our Masters students joining us from more than 40 countries.

Our MSc Finance and Investment covers more than 70% of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Programme Candidate Body of Knowledge. Upon completing this course, you are well positioned to sit for the CFA exams, which are among the most widely-recognised and established qualifications in the UK.

Essex Business School offers a limited number of scholarships for the CFA level one exam and Investment Management Certificate (IMC) level one and two exams to exceptional Masters students. We are an IMC Advantage Partner and a Recognised Partner of the CFA.

This course is also available to study part time and the University of Essex offers scholarships and discounts that you may be able to take advantage of. Postgraduate loans for Masters courses are now available from the Student Loans Company, worth up to £10,000, for students from the UK and EU.

Our expert staff

Essex Business School has one of the largest finance groups in the UK and is home to Essex Finance Centre.

With both academic and industry experience, our expert team are at the forefront of the financial debate; their work has been discussed at the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve.

We use a broad range of social science theories and concepts to explore:
-Business ethics and corporate social responsibility
-Organisation studies
-Leadership and strategy
-Finance and banking
-Risk management
-International management

Specialist facilities

You benefit from a stunning work environment in our new zero carbon building, including facilities such as:
-A winter garden, which provides the building’s unique micro-climate
-Light and spacious lecture theatres
-Study pods and innovation booths for group working
-Networking opportunities with visiting businesses
-Bonds café
-Study skills services

Your future

In 2015, 78% of our postgraduate taught students were in work or further study (DLHE).

By completing this course, you should understand the financial drivers of an increasingly complex business world and have the best foundation for your career in finance.

Many of our recent graduates work for high-profile organisations worldwide, including:
-Deutsche Bank
-Standard Chartered
-GlobeOp Financial Services

As well as enjoying careers in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy, many of our graduates are successful entrepreneurs.

Throughout your course, our dedicated employability team will help you find information about work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. Advice and opportunities are also available from the University’s Employability and Careers Centre.

Example structure

-MSc Finance and Investment: Dissertation
-Portfolio Management
-Research Methods in Finance: Empirical Methods in Finance
-Behavioural Finance
-Corporate Finance
-Fixed Income Securities
-Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation
-Asset Pricing (optional)

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Issues you will study as part of your MSc or MA Management and Finance degree programme include:

How can organisations ensure their own survival in a rapidly changing competitive environment?
What are the key strategic management problems facing organisations?
Are organisations as complex as they seem?
How can you analyse the strategy process, evaluate the strategic choices that may be made and place a value on the strategic options that are available?
How would you recognise effective approaches to HRM?
What are the costs and benefits of the alternatives?
Do contemporary employment practices lessen conflicts and tensions in the employment relationship?
Which factors are most likely to influence the evaluation and implementation of investment projects?
How can we calculate a suitable cost of capital to appraise the capital investment decision?
What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment? Can market risk be priced accurately?
Can credit risk be priced accurately?
What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?
Can futures, options, derivatives and swaps be used to manage the risks involved?
How can financial forecasts be used in business valuation, and what techniques should be used to improve trend analysis and interfirm comparison?

With these needs in mind, the MSc and MA Management and Finance programmes at Bangor are designed to develop participants' existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants not only with an insight into organisational behaviour and strategic choices in HRM and marketing, but also with an understanding of theoretical developments relating to corporate finance and the capital markets, and competence in the techniques required to assess the consequences for business management. These programmes provide a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of business management and financial techniques in a real-world setting.

ESRC Recognition

The MA Business and Finance is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the first year of a 1+3 PhD training programme.
Course Structure

January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.

Compulsory modules:

Research Methods:This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.

Organisations and People: This module examines key issues arising from contemporary research in organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM). It provides an integrated analysis of management, organisations and people, developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts.

International Strategic Management: This module analyses strategic decision-making within business. You will develop a critical understanding of the strategic processes of business management, the interconnections with the functional domains of marketing, human resource management and corporate finance, and the management of knowledge systems.

International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.

International Financial Management: In this module the financial management of multinational companies and the influence of macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision-making are examined in an international and global context.

New Venture Creation: This module examines the advantages and disadvantages of the various routes to business start-up, including new venture creation, or establishing a business based on your own expertise, experience and ideas; buying an established business; purchasing a franchise; and succession through a family firm, an increasingly common way of becoming involved in entrepreneurial activity.

Optional module (choose 2):

Islamic Finance: This module provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues. The first part of the module examines issues relating to financial contracting, instruments and various intermediation issues. The second part focuses on the role of the capital market in providing Islamic financing, and highlights financial engineering and risk management features of this type of business.

Knowledge Management: This module examines the processes whereby organisations and individuals develop and utilise their knowledge bases. Successful knowledge management hinges on people, culture and technology. As such it has professional and academic links with organisational behaviour and organisational learning.

Contemporary Issues in Management: This module develops several theories and concepts in contemporary management theory and practice. It provides a detailed and critical analysis of management, further developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts.

Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance. You will examine the principles underlying inter-firm comparison (comparing the performance of one firm with another) and trend analysis (comparing the performance of the same firm over different periods).

Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.

Public Sector Management: This module identifies the distinctive characteristics of the public sector in a competitive market-driven environment. Organisational forms in the public sector are reviewed, in the light of the changing culture of public services, competition, best value and public expectations.

Behavioural Finance: This module provides in-depth coverage of behavioural finance, which replaces the "rationality" assumption with behavioural biases that have been documented by psychologists.

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Applying behavioural economics to real-world problems is becoming increasingly widespread. The main findings from behavioural economics are that individuals deviate from optimal behaviour in a consistent and regular manner. Furthermore, emotions play an important role in decision making in many scenarios. As a consequence, policy-makers are beginning to appreciate the relevance of applying tools and techniques from behavioural economics in understanding the behaviour of individuals.

Over the past decade, techniques in behavioural economics have been applied by a large number of both private and public sector organisations. These include the Bank of England, Coca-Cola, the Financial Conduct Authority, Google, HMRC, Hyundai, HSBC, Oxfam, VISA and the NHS, while concepts from behavioural economics are widely used in areas such as marketing, organ donor framing, incentives to save, incentives to spend etc. There does not seem to be an aspect of life in which applications from behavioural economics are not relevant.


Why study MSc Behavioural Economics in Action at Middlesex?

As a result of this growth in demand, we are offering MSc Behavioural Economics in Action with a strong emphasis on real-world applications, that is, in action. It is the very first programme of its type to be offered in the London area.

The programme will provide a unique learning experience for its students. The course offers as much emphasis on behavioural theories as on the practical applications of behavioural economics, but what makes our masters programme unique is that - as part of their degree - our students will be required to undertake a three-month long behavioural project with real-world implications supported by a mentor.

The course is particularly aimed at individuals with extensive work experience in areas such as policy making and senior management in any type of organisation in the public or private sector. The tools and techniques we teach are also in great demand in organisations that seek to understand customer and consumer behaviour.

Recent graduates from related disciplines looking to enter into the fast growing area of behavioural economics are also encouraged to apply, including anthropology, business, economics, finance, political science, psychology, sociology, neuroscience, etc. Those holding degrees in maths or physics are also welcome.

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Our suite of Finance Master’s degrees brings you a deep theoretical and conceptual knowledge of finance and related quantitative skills, which will prepare you for a range of careers in global financial institutions and blue-chip companies. Our postgraduates are highly employable in a wide range of roles. The skills they acquire at WBS open up opportunities to work for banks and treasuries, asset managers, regulators and consultancies, policy-makers and many others.

You will study six core modules and two elective modules of your choice, one of which must be from Accounting. Finance modules are taken from our very successful MSc in Finance – the UK’s top pure finance course.

Elective modules

Every year we offer many elective modules allowing you to take modules from behavioural science through to quantitative finance, giving you the opportunity to tailor the course to your preferences. Please note that availability and delivery modes may vary.

Assessment

Assessment is a mix of exams, project work, and tests, with your 10-12,000 word project and dissertation bringing all your learning together.

Lectures & classes

Lectures introduce key theories, concepts, and economic models. In classes you will solve financial problems and numerical exercises, analyse case studies, and make presentations of research published in academic journals.

Your dissertation

A 10–12,000 word dissertation gives you the opportunity to develop, test, practice and apply the techniques and theories you have gained through your studies. You will be supervised and supported throughout by one of our academic staff or teaching associates and will usually submit your dissertation in early September.

Other admission requirements

IELTS 7.0 - all four languages elements have to be scored 6.0+, with maximum of two language components at lowest level 6.0 or 6.5.

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This programme offers training in the key macroeconomic and microeconomic issues fundamental to financial decision making. It draws on the most recent developments in these areas.

Why this programme

-The programme draws on the most recent developments in financial economics, giving you a strong foundation for PhD research and providing you with the tools to gain employment in a wide range of spheres.
-The Adam Smith Business School has been ranked in the top 10 worldwide for economics and finance (RePEc), with two of our academics rated in the top 1%.
-The Adam Smith Business School celebrates the legacy of Adam Smith by developing enlightened, enterprising and engaged graduates and internationally-recognised research with real social impact.

Programme structure

You will take four core courses, two optional courses and complete a substantial independent piece of work, normally in the form of a dissertation, on a topical business, finance or management related issue.

Teaching is provided by lectures. Technical subjects are supported by weekly or fortnightly tutorials, which provide opportunities for you to engage with issues and questions in a group format. Some courses also involve lab sessions in which you will use specialised software, for instance in the study of econometrics.

Core courses
-Basic econometrics
-Economic fundamentals and financial markets
-Macroeconomics
-Microeconomics

Sample optional courses
-Applied computational finance
-Behavioural economics: theory and applications
-C++ in finance (Mathematical finance is a co-requisite for this course)
-Corporate finance and theory
-Empirical asset pricing
-Financial market micro structure
-Foreign direct investment and development
-Game theory with applications in economics and finance
-Intermediate econometrics
-International financial management
-Investment, finance and asset prices
-Mathematical finance
-Modelling and forecasting financial markets
-Public finance

Background and aims

This programme will provide graduates with a strong foundation for PhD research and the toolkit to gain employment in a wide range of spheres. We expect graduates from this programme will gain employment in financial institutions, including banks, investment banks and asset management firms and government organisations, involved in financial decision-making.

The programme also offers candidates a suitable grounding for working in international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank and is appropriate for those wishing to work in academia. In particular, graduates are suitable for working in international organisations involved in financial transactions and provision of finance.

Career prospects

As a graduate of the programme you will be qualified to work in finance for organisations like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The programme is also suitable for careers in academia.

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